Method of making lead-rich and bismuth-rich pyrochlore compounds using an alkaline medium and a reaction enhancing anodic potential

ABSTRACT

A liquid solution method of preparing electrically conductive pyrochlore compounds of high surface area, having the formula: 
     
         A.sub.2 [B.sub.2-x A.sub.x ]O.sub.7-y 
    
     is disclosed wherein A is selected from lead, bismuth and mixtures thereof, B is selected from ruthenium, iridium and mixtures thereof, 0&lt;×≦1.0 and 0≦y≦1. The method involves reacting A and B cations to yield a pyrochlore oxide by precipitation of A and B cations from an aqueous solution source of these cations in a liquid alkaline medium having a pH of at least about 10.0 in the presence of an oxygen source, and in the presence of a reaction-enhancing anodic potential, at a temperature below about 200° C. for a sufficient time for reaction to occur.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Ser. No. 856,648, filed Dec. 2, 1977, now U.S. Pat. No. 4,129,515, entitled "Method of Making Lead-Rich And Bismuth-Rich Pyrochlore Compounds Using An Alkaline Medium".

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION AND PRIOR ART STATEMENT

The present invention is directed to a method of preparation of pyrochlore structure compounds. More particularly, the present invention is directed to a method of preparing lead-rich and bismuth-rich ruthenate and iridate pyrochlores. These pyrochlores have many uses including use as oxygen electrodes in electrochemical devices.

A number of various types of electrochemical devices have been developed over the past few years for the production of electrical energy by electrochemical reaction and obversely for the consumption of electrical energy to effectuate electrochemical reactions. Many of these devices rely upon a reaction involving oxygen (or air) as part of the mechanism to accomplish the desired result. For example, such devices may contain oxygen electrodes which are oxygen reducing cathodes in which oxygen is catalytically electroreduced. Alternatively, such devices may contain oxygen electrodes which catalyze the evolution of oxygen from water. In general, these electrodes are known in the art as oxygen electrodes. Thus, metal-oxygen batteries, metal-air batteries, fuel cells, electrolyzers, metal electrowinning devices, etc., are among the well-known electrochemical devices which may contain oxygen electrodes. Typically, such devices contain electrocatalyst materials at one or more of their electrodes and precious metals, such as platinum (on carbon support) and silver (on carbon and other supports), are frequently employed as electrocatalysts.

In addition, various electrocatalytic alloys, compounds and compound mixtures have been developed for these electrochemical devices to achieve more desirable systems. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,536,533 (Kitamura) describes the use of an alloy of gold, silver, palladium and at least one of platinum, rhodium and ruthenium as a fuel cell electrode electrocatalyst, and U.S. Pat. No. 3,305,402 (Jones et al) describes the use of a combination of platinum and ruthenium oxides as an electrocatalyst. However, both references describe these catalysts as fuel cell anode (or fuel oxidation) catalysts. O'Grady et al, Technical Report No. 37, "Ruthenium Oxide Catalysts For The Oxygen Electrode", Contract No., N0014-67-A-0404-0006 (AD-779-899) Office of Naval Research, May 1974 (National Technical Information Service) describes the use of ruthenium oxide as an electrochemical catalyst for both the generation of oxygen and the reduction of oxygen. U.S. Pat. No. 3,405,010 (Kordesch et al) teaches that spinel type electrode catalysts have been found to produce better activation of the electrode and improved electrolyte repellency of the electrode by the inclusion of ruthenium.

The foregoing prior art describes various types of electrodes including those which utilize iridium and/or ruthenium-containing catalysts. However, none of these references teaches or renders obvious the bismuth-rich and lead-rich pyrochlore compounds described herein, much less their particular method of preparation as claimed herein.

Heretofore, many pyrochlore compounds such as the pyrochlore compounds Pb₂ Ru₂ O_(7-y) (lattice parameter of 10.253 A), Pb₂ Ir₂ O_(7-y) (lattice parameter of 10.271 A), Bi₂ Ir₂ O_(7-y), Bi₂ Rh₂ O_(7-y), Pb₂ Rh₂ O_(7-y), Pb₂ Pt₂ O_(7-y) and Cd₂ Re₂ O_(7-y), commonly referred as as lead ruthenate, lead iridate, bismuth iridate, bismuth rhodate, lead rhodate, lead platinate and cadmium rhenate, respectively, and similar compounds, have been known. For example, Longo, Raccah and Goodenough, Mat. Res. Bull., Vol. 4, pp. 191-202 (1969), have described the compounds Pb₂ Ru₂ O_(7-y) and Pb₂ Ir₂ O_(7-y) and their preparation at elevated temperatures which are in excess of 700° C. Sleight, Mat. Res. Bull., Vol. 6, p. 775 (1971) has also described the compounds Pb₂ Ru₂ O_(7-y) and Pb₂ Ir₂ O_(7-y) (including the pyrochlore compound Pb₂ Ru₂ O₆.5 having a lattice parameter of 10.271 A) and their preparation at 700° C. and 3000 atmospheres of pressure. U.S. Pat. No. 3,682,840 (Van Loan) describes the preparation of lead ruthenate at temperatures of 800° C. and higher. These references do not teach that lead-rich or bismuth-rich compounds made by the present invention exist or that they may be prepared in an alkaline medium at temperatures below about 200° C. as claimed herein.

U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,769,382 (Kuo et al) and 3,951,672 (Langley et al) both disclose the preparation of lead ruthenate and lead iridate using various techniques at temperatures of at least about 600° C., and preferably at higher temperatures. However, these references fail to recognize that the lead-rich pyrochlores used in the present invention are obtained at generally lower temperatures or that such pyrochlores have improved physical properties. Further, these references also fail to teach or render obvious the method of preparation of lead-rich and bismuth-rich pyrochlore compounds of the present invention.

Bouchard and Gillson, Mat. Res. Bull., Vol. 6, pp. 669-680 (1971) describe Bi₂ Ru₂ O₇ and Bi₂ Ir₂ O₇ preparation and properties, including the fact that these compounds have high conductivity and small Seebeck coefficients. However, there is no teaching that these compounds are useful electrocatalysts in electrochemical devices. Derwent's Basic Abstract Journal, Section E, Chemdoc, Week No. Y25, Abstract No. 320 (Aug. 17, 1977), Derwent Accession No. 44866Y/25 describes electrodes for electrolysis of alkaline and carbonate solutions which comprise nickel-plated steel strips coated with high conductivity layers containing Cd₂ Re₂ O₇, Pb₂ Re₂ O_(7-y) or Ni₂ Re₂ O₇. These compounds are prepared by impregnating perrhenic acid and a metal nitrate such as Cd nitrate onto a nickel strip and baking at 350° C. However, these compounds are all rhenates rather than ruthenates or iridates and are not taught to be lead-rich or bismuth-rich compounds prepared by the method of the present invention. National Bureau of Standards, Washington, D.C., Institute for Mat. Research, Abstract of Rept. No. NBSIR-75-742 (1974) describes the use of mixed oxides as oxygen-reducing electrocatalysts in acid fuel cells, including the use of barium ruthenate. However, of all materials suggested for such electrocatalysts, none are of the pyrochlore type structure compounds made by the method of the present invention.

It is seen that the above prior art dealing with the synthesis of the electrically conductive pyrochlore structure oxides have taught synthesis temperatures at least as high as 600° C. These highly elevated temperatures have been employed because they have been considered necessary to overcome the diffusional limitations encountered in solid state reactions. These highly elevated temperatures, however, result in the formation of sintered products with low surface areas. This is a disadvantageous condition for materials used in catalytic and electrocatalytic applications since the concentration of available catalytically active sites is limited.

It would be desirable from both an energy conservation standpoint and a maximization of surface area standpoint to carry out these materials syntheses at significantly lower temperatures, e.g. below 300° C., but the kinetics of solid state reactions are unfavorably sluggish. Solution syntheses offer one possible approach to achieving these very low temperature reactions. For example Trehoux, Abraham and Thomas, Journal of Solid State Chemistry, Vol. 21, pp. 203-209 (1977) and C.R. Acad. Sc. Paris, t. 281 pp. 379-380 (1975) describe the solution preparation of a pyrochlore compound of the formula K₁.14 Bi₀.27^(III) [Bi₀.27^(III) Bi₁.73^(V) ] [O₄.9 OH₁.1 ]OH₀.8. The synthesis is carried out by adding a bismuth nitrate solution to a solution of 17% potassium hydroxide containing an excess of potassium hypochlorite. The reaction is carried out in this medium for 2 hours in a reflux type of apparatus at a temperature slightly higher than 100° C. The method of synthesis and the product prepared are different in many respects from the synthesis method and products herein. The compound prepared in the cited reference is not an oxide but rather an oxyhydroxide which has a significant amount of protons incorporated into the bulk structure. Proton nuclear magnetic resonance experiments on the materials of the present invention show that they are oxides which do not have significant amounts of protons incorporated into the structure. The pyrochlore synthesized by Trehoux et al is not a ruthenium or iridium containing compound and, in fact, is believed not to be an electrically conductive pyrochlore. The potassium hydroxide solution used in the Trehoux reference serves not only as a reaction medium but also as a constituent in the reaction since potassium is incoporated into the A site of the pyrochlore. In the method of the present invention the alkali solution employed is solely a reaction medium with no measurable amount of alkali metal cations incorporated in the pyrochlore compound which results from the synthesis.

Morgenstern-Badarau and Michel, Ann. Chim., Vol. 6, pp. 109 et seq. (especially at 109-113) (1971), and C. R. Acad. Sc. Paris, Vol. 271, Seire C pp. 1313-1316 (1970) report the solution preparation of pyrochlore compounds having the formula Pb₂ Sn₂ O₆. xH₂ O where 0<x<1. The conditions of preparation are strictly defined as follows: equimolar quantites of lead and tin are reacted from solution in the presence of the complexing agent nitrilo-triacetic acid (NITA) such that the concentration of [NITA]/[Pb²⁺ ]=2. The pH of the reaction medium is fixed at 11 and the reaction is carried out for several hours at 80° C. The compound prepared by Morgenstern-Badarau et al is a hydrated oxide whereas materials made by the method of the present invention are oxides. The pyrochlore prepared in this reference, while it does contain lead, is not a lead-rich pyrochlore in any way similar to the materials prepared by the method of the present invention. In fact the pyrochlore prepared by Morgenstern-Badarau and Michel is not a ruthenium or iridium containing pyrochlore and is believed not to be electrically conductive. Morgenstern-Badarau et al also specifically state that their preparation method is one which gives a solid product containing Pb²⁺. The method of the present invention is such that the solid product contains a mixture of Pb²⁺ and Pb⁴⁺. While the presence of a complexing agent is required in the synthesis described in the cited reference, no such complexing agent is required in the method of preparation of the present invention.

In summary, there exists a formidable body of prior art describing the existence of various pyrochlores, their potential uses including uses as dielectric materials, and describing various metals and metal oxides as electrocatalyst materials. Notwithstanding such prior art, there is no suggestion or teaching that (a) the lead-rich or bismuth-rich pyrochlore compounds made by the method of the present invention even exist, or that (b) that the method of the present invention may be used to make such compounds.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a method of preparing compounds having the formula:

    A.sub.2 [B.sub.2-x A.sub.x ]O.sub.7-y                      (1)

wherein A is selected from the group consisting of lead, bismuth and mixtures thereof, B is selected from the group consisting of ruthenium, iridium and mixtures thereof, and wherein x is a value such that 0<x≦1.0 and y is a value such that 0≦y≦1.

The compounds made by the method of the present invention, as represented by formula (1) above, display the pyrochlore crystal structure. Pyrochlore structure oxides are represented by the general formula A₂ B₂ O₆ O' wherein A and B are metal cations. A detailed description of their crystallographic structure may be found in Structural Inorganic Chemistry, Fourth Edition by A. F. Wells, Clarendon Press, Oxford, 1975. Briefly, oxides of this type display a face-centered cubic structure having a unit cell dimension of about 10 A. The B cations are octahedrally coordinated by oxygen anions (O). The structural framework is formed by a three dimensional array of these corner shared octahedra, each sharing corners with six others. This framework has the composition B₂ O₆. As Wells describes, this framework of octahedra is "based on the diamond net, having large holes which contain the O' and two A atoms, which themselves form a cuprite-like net A₂ O' interpenetrating the octahedral framework". The octahedra are actually arranged in tetrahedral clusters. These clusters of octahedra are then tetrahedrally arranged so as to form the large holes in the structure described by Wells. Each of these large holes may also be defined by four tetrahedrally arranged puckered, hexagonl rings which are formed by the corner shared octahedra. The A cations reside in the center of these puckered hexagonal rings and are coordinated by the six O anions which define the rings plus two more O' cations at a slightly different distance. These O' anions reside at the center of the large holes in the octahedral framework. It is the O' anions which may be partially or totally absent, leading to the general pyrochlore oxide formula A₂ B₂ O_(7-y) where 0<y<1. Thus, the compounds made by the method of the present invention are referred to as pyrochlore compounds, albeit they are not stoichiometric pyrochlores, but rather are lead-rich and/or bismuth-rich compounds of the formulas as above.

It has been discovered that the pyrochlore compounds made by the method of the present invention exhibit an expanded lattice, believed to be a result of the increased amount of lead or bismuth in the crystal structure. It is believed that there exists a direct correlation between the extent of expansion of the lattice and the amount of excess lead or bismuth in the crystalline structure. Thus, it is believed that all things otherwise being equal, the greater the lattice parameter, the greater the amount of lead or bismuth and therefore the larger the variable x in the formula representing the compounds of the present invention. This belief is supported by the fact that all compounds made by the method of the present invention, which have been prepared and lattice parameters determined, do indeed exhibit expanded lattices.

In general terms, the method of the present invention involves reacting A and B cations to yield a pyrochlore oxide by precipitation of A and B cations from an aqueous solution source of these cations in a liquid alkaline medium in the presence of an oxygen source at a temperature below about 200° C., and in the presence of an anodic potential, for a sufficient time for reaction to occur. The synthesis occurs entirely in a solution medium where the reaction kinetics are quite favorable and not so restrictive as is found in solid state reactions notwithstanding the low reaction temperature employed in the present method. These conditions result in the formation of product in high surface area form (25-150 m² /g). High surface area is particularly advantageous for materials used in a catalytic or electrocatalytic application since the concentration of available catalytically active sites is maximized.

The aqueous solution source of reactant (A and B) cations is meant by definition to include any aqueous solution which will dissolve ionic A and B cations. This metal cation containing solution may be prepared using A source materials which include lead nitrate, lead oxide, lead chloride, lead acetate, lead carbonate, lead citrate, lead oxalate, bismuth nitrate, bismuth oxide, bismuth chloride, bismuth oxalate and bismuth oxychloride as well as mixtures thereof. Desirably, the A source material used in preparing the aqueous solution source of A and B cations is either a lead source material or a bismuth source material, although, as mentioned, mixtures of these may be used. Among the mentioned A source materials, preferred are lead and bismuth nitrates. The B source materials used in preparing the aqueous solution source of A and B cations include ruthenium chloride, ruthenium nitrate, ruthenium nitrosyl nitrite, iridium chloride, iridium hydroxide and iridium oxalic acid as well as mixtures thereof. Desirably, the B source material is either a ruthenium source or an iridium source, although mixtures thereof may be employed. The preferred B source materials include ruthenium nitrate and iridium chloride.

The aqueous solution source of A and B cations is prepared by dissolving appropriate amounts of A source material and B source material in aqueous solvent. In some cases water is adequate for this dissolution. When necessary, the A and B source materials may be dissolved in aqueous acid solutions, the acid solutions being just strong enough to cause the A and B source materials to dissolve. Acids such as nitric or hydrochloric may be used but nitric acid as preferred.

The A source material and B source material are dissolved in relative amounts so as to achieve, in general, an initial reactant A to B ion ratio of at least about 1.0:1.0. Desirably, this ratio is within the range of about 1.05:1.0 to about 10.0:1.0. In the preferred embodiments the A to B ion ratio is in the range of about 1.2:1.0 to about 5.0:1.0. As a practical matter, the reactants may be used in an A to B ion ratio appreciably higher than the ratio of A to B in the final pyrochlore product.

Preparation of the aqueous solution source of A and B cations in the manner just described assures atomic scale mixing of these cations and thereby provides favorable kinetics for the low temperature, solution medium synthesis that follows.

The liquid alkaline medium is meant by definition to include any liquid alkaline medium which will promote reaction between A ions and B ions from the mentioned aqueous solution source of A and B cations and will effect the precipitation of the desired pyrochlore structure. The liquid alkaline medium may be any which satisfies this definition and includes aqueous basic solutions of alkali metal hydroxides. Thus, the liquid alkaline medium may desirably be an aqueous basic solution containing a base selected from the group consisting of sodium hydroxide, rubidium hydroxide, cesium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide and mixtures thereof. Desirably, sufficient base is included so as to render a liquid alkaline medium having a pH of at least about 10.0 Preferably, sufficient base is employed so as to produce a liquid alkaline medium having a pH of between about 12 and 15.5. Exact amounts of base material need not be specified since pH determination is within the purview of the artisan.

It is also found to be sometimes helpful, although not necessary, to saturate the alkaline reaction medium with respect to one of the reactant cations (the most alkali soluble cation reactant) prior to combination of the aqueous solution source of A and B cations with the alkaline reaction medium. This may be done so as to avoid large discrepancies between cation ratios in the reacted product and in the initial reactant mixture due to possible solubility in the alkaline reaction medium of one of the reactant cations.

The alkaline medium acts solely as a reaction medium and not as a constituent in the reaction. This is supported by the fact that the pyrochlores made by the method of this invention show less than 0.02% (by weight) alkali metal cation as measured by atomic absorption.

During the reaction period the alkaline medium may be replaced with fresh alkaline medium although this is not necessary for successful practice of the invention.

The oxygen source is meant to include by definition any source which will provide the oxygen needed to form the pyrochlore compound. The oxygen source may be any of the A source material, the M source material, the alkaline liquid medium or combination thereof. Alternatively or additionally, the oxygen source may be or include independent oxygen contributing material, e.g. bubbled oxygen or oxygen-containing salts or other additives. In any event, an essential aspect of the present invention compound preparation is the inclusion of adequate oxygen to permit the formation of the pyrochlore structure.

No criticality exists as to whether the aqueous solution source of A and B cations is added to the alkaline medium or whether the alkaline medium is added to the aqueous solution source of reactant cations. However, the former is usually practiced to insure that all of the cations see an excess of alkaline medium. In general, at least about 1.0 liter of liquid alkaline medium is used per sum total mole of metal cation reactant. As mentioned, the reaction may be carried out at temperatures below about 200° C. Desirably, the reaction temperature is within the range of about 10 to about 100° C. Preferably, the reaction is carried out at temperatures within the range of about 50 to about 80° C.

The anodic potential used to enhance the reaction of the A and B cations and the oxygen source is achieved by inclusion of an electrode having an anodic potential in the reaction medium. In general, it is desired to have an anodic potential of at least about 1.0 volts vs. reversible hydrogen, desirably about 1.0 to about 1.3 volts, and preferably about 1.0 to about 1.2 volts. Employing potentials below 1.0 V vs. RHE results in the synthesis of precipitates which are amorphous to X-rays. Employing potentials significantly higher than 1.3 V vs. RHE is inefficient since it results in electrical energy being utilized for the evolution of oxygen at the anodic electrode and the formation of large amounts of unwanted PbO₂ in addition to the desired pyrochlore. This electrode may be any which will not have a detrimental effect on the reaction medium and which will not be detrimentally affected by the reaction medium. For example, nickel, e.g., Ni screen, platinum, gold, carbon, and the like may be employed. The anodic potential electrode requires a counterelectrode to also be in contact with the reaction medium and to complete the circuitry, and this may be employed with sufficient proximity to the anodic potential electrode to complete the circuit. The counter electrode will evolve hydrogen gas. It is, therefore, recommended to provide a compartment for the counter electrode such that the electrode remains in contact with the electrolyte, but the evolved hydrogen gas is directed out of the reaction cell rather than into the reaction medium. The counter electrode may be any which will not have a detrimental effect on the reaction medium and which will not be detrimentally affected by the reaction medium. In fact, this electrode should be inert with respect to the reaction medium. Typical counterelectrodes include platinum, nickel, gold, carbon, etc. The anodic potential acts to enhance the reaction of the reactants to yield expanded pyrochlores, as mentioned. Thus, in the case of the lead expanded pyrochlores, for example, the anodic potential accelerates the reaction by enhancing oxidation of lead-II to lead-IV. The successful practice of this invention requires that the precipitated particles in the reaction vessel be effectively suspended in the solution medium and that these particles be slurried about so as to continually come in physical contact with the anodic electrode. The electrode should, therefore, be designed so as to present a large effective surface area to the reacting particles. Electrodes fabricated out of metal screen, for example, are found to be suitable.

The reaction is carried out for a time sufficient for reaction to occur. With many reactant combinations, at least a partial reaction occurs almost instantly. In any event, the length of time over which the reaction should be allowed to proceed is a matter of choice. The use of the anodic potential acts to enhance the rate of the reaction. Within limits, however, the longer the reaction time, the greater the extent of reaction. The extent of reaction may be monitored by observing the change in electrical current flowing through the reaction cell during the synthesis. Generally the electrical current is quite high at the beginning of the synthesis and decays as the reaction proceeds. By the time the reaction is completed, little or no electrical current is being passed. As a practical matter, with the use of the anodic potential, a significant amount of reaction product is obtained by reacting for about 4 hours to about 24 hours, whereas without the anodic potential applied, a reaction time of about 3 to about 7 days may be required to obtain a desired amount of product.

After the reaction is completed, the reaction product may be separated by known separation means. These separation techniques include filtration and centrifugation. Various post treatments may be employed as desired. These might include heat treatments to improve the crystallinity of the product and/or washing in various media in order to leach out any unreacted metal species. The reaction product includes one or more of the pyrochlore compounds of formula (1) above. When preferred amounts of reactants are employed, compounds of formula (1) may be obtained wherein 0<×≦1.0. Thus, among the compounds obtained are:

    Pb.sub.2 [Ru.sub.2-x Pb.sub.x ]O.sub.7-y                   (2)

    Pb.sub.2 [Ir.sub.2-x Pb.sub.x ]O.sub.7-y                   (3)

    PbBi[Ru.sub.2-x Pb.sub.x ]O.sub.7-y                        (4)

    PbBi[Ir.sub.2-x Pb.sub.x ]O.sub.7-y                        (5)

    Pb.sub.a Bi.sub.b [Ru.sub.2-x Pb.sub.x ]O.sub.7-y          (6)

    Pb.sub.2 [Ru.sub.2-x (Pb.sub.c Bi.sub.d).sub.x ]O.sub.7-y  (7)

and the like, wherein x and y are as defined, and wherein a+b=2 and c+d=x. Also, included are the bismuth-rich counterparts to the foregoing and other variations within the scope of formula (1) which should now be apparent to the artisan. As mentioned, the above pyrochlores produced by the method of the present invention have an expanded lattice and exhibit a high surface area. Further, these compounds display high electronic conductivity, thus making them particularly useful for electrode applications, e.g., as oxygen electrodes.

The present invention will be more fully appreciated in view of the following examples. However, these examples are presented for illustrative purposes, and the present invention should not be construed to be limited thereto:

EXAMPLE 1

A lead-rich lead ruthenate pyrochlore, e.g., Pb₂ [Ru_(2-x) Pb_(x) ]O_(7-y), is prepared in an electrochemical reaction vessel as follows:

The reaction vessel is a jacketed electrochemical cell containing the nickel anodic electrode (a cylindrical piece of nickel mesh) a platinum wire counter electrode (concentric with the anodic electrode), a saturated calomel reference electrode (in close proximity to the anodic electrode, and a magnetic stirrer. The counter electrode is sheathed by an open ended glass tube which is sealed at the bottom by a microporous polypropylene film (Celgard 5511 manufactured by Celanese Plastics Company). The microporous polypropylene film is permeable to the liquid reaction medium, but provides a barrier to any solid reaction products in the reaction vessel and to hydrogen gas which is evolved at the counter electrode inside the glass tube. The hydrogen gas is vented through the opposite end of the tube outside of the cell. The anodic potential that is applied to the nickel electrode is controlled by a Princeton Applied Research Model 173 potentiostat which is connected to the reaction vessel.

Pb(NO₃)₂ and Ru(NO₃)₃ are combined in aqueous solution in an approximately 2.0:1.0 molar ratio of lead to ruthenium. That is, about 3.28 grams of Pb(NO₃)₂ and about 1.42 grams of Ru(NO₃)₃ (in aqueous solution) are added to 150 ml of distilled water. The solution, after being stirred, is then added to 100 ml of 3 M sodium hydroxide that is contained in the electrochemical reaction vessel that has been preheated to 50° C. Precipitation of a solid occurs immediately and this solution is slurried about in the reaction vessel for several minutes. An anodic potential of 1.23 volts vs. RHE is then applied to the nickel electrode. The reaction is carried out, with stirring and with nitrogen being bubbled through the solution, for 21 hours. The solid is then separated by vacuum filtration, washed in distilled water, and dried at 100° C. X-ray diffraction shows that the reacted product is a two phase mixture consisting of lead-rich lead ruthenate pyrochlore and lead dioxide. The surface area, measured by the BET N₂ adsorption method is 75 m² /g.

EXAMPLE 2

A comparative experiment is conducted in order to determine if crystalline lead ruthenate pyrochlore can be synthesized out of an alkaline reaction medium without the presence of an anodic potential, but under otherwise similar conditions. In this case, there being no electrodes involved, the oxidizing potential is provided by merely bubbling oxygen through the reaction medium. The synthesis is carried out as follows:

Pb(NO₃)₂ and Ru(NO₃)₃ are combined in aqueous solution in an approximately 3.0:1.0 molar ratio of lead to ruthenium. That is, about 4.92 grams of Pb(NO₃)₂ and about 1.42 grams of Ru(NO₃)₃ (in aqueous solution) are added to 150 ml of distilled water. This solution, after being stirred, is then added to 100 ml of 3 M sodium hydroxide which has been heated to 50° C. Precipitation of a solid occurs immediately. The reaction is carried out, with stirring and with oxygen being bubbled through the solution, for approximately 21 hours. The solid is then separated by vacuum filtration, washed in distilled water, and dried at 100° C. X-ray diffraction shows that the reacted product is a largely amorphous solid. The only identifiable feature in the X-ray diffraction spectrum is a broad, diffuse peak centered at about 30°2θ. Thus, crystalline pyrochlore is not obtained out of an alkaline reaction medium at 50° C. after only 21 hours if an anodic potential is not provided.

EXAMPLE 3

A lead-rich lead ruthenate pyrochlore, e.g., Pb₂ [Ru_(2-x) Pb_(x) ]O_(7-y), is prepared in an electrochemical reaction vessel as follows:

Pb(NO₃)₂ and Ru(NO₃)₃ are combined in aqueous solution in an approximately 2.0:1.0 molar ratio of lead to ruthenium. That is, about 3.28 grams of Pb(NO₃)₂ and about 1.42 grams of Ru(NO₃)₃ (in aqueous solution) are added to 150 ml of distilled water. This solution, after being stirred, is then added to 100 ml of 3 M sodium hydroxide that is contained in the electrochemical reaction vessel that has been preheated to 50° C. Precipitation of a solid occurs immediately and this solution is slurried about in the reaction vessel for several minutes. An anodic potential of 1.18 volts vs. RHE is then applied to the nickel electrode. The reaction is carried out, with stirring and with nitrogen being bubbled through the solution, for 21 hours. The solid is then separated by vacuum filtration, washed in distilled water, and dried at 100° C. X-ray diffraction shows that the reacted product consists of a crystalline, lead-rich, lead ruthenate pyrochlore with a minor second phase of PbO₂. The surface area, measured by the BET N₂ adsorption method, is 99 m² /g. The lattice parameter of the pyrochlore is 10.453 A and its composition is estimated, from a previously established correlation between lattice parameter and composition for lead ruthenate pyrochlores, to be Pb₂ [Ru₁.36 Pb.sub..64 ]O_(7-y).

EXAMPLE 4

To illustrate the utility of the compound which is obtained by the method of Example 3, electrocatalytic performance curves are obtained in 3 N KOH at 75° C. In these tests, the material is fabricated into test electrodes consisting of the catalyst, a binder, a wetproofing agent and a support. Teflon serves as both a binder and wetproofing agent for all the electrodes tested. Gold expanded metal screen is used as the support.

Electrodes are fabricated by mixing a weighed amount of catalyst with a few drops of water, adding a measured volume of Teflon 42 suspension, and mixing vigorously to precipitate the Teflon. The gummy product is then spread on weighed gold Exmet screen and is pressed dry between filter paper. The electrode is then cold pressed for 0.5 min. at 200 psi, is allowed to air dry for 30 min. and is then hot pressed in an inert atmosphere at 325° C., 500 psi for 0.5 min. After cooling, the electrode is weighed to determine its loading and then placed in the electrochemical cell for testing.

The electrochemical half-cell used for testing is of the interface maintaining type and consists of a jacketed liquid phase cell compartment. The liquid side contains the platinum wire counter electrode, a saturated calomel reference electrode (in contact by Lugin capillary), and magnetic stirrer. The gas side contains the gas (oxygen) inlet and outlet and a stopcock to drain off any condensate. The working electrode is held in place (between the two compartments) between two Teflon discs with a gold current collector pressing against it.

The cell is connected to a Princeton Applied Research Model 173 potentiostat with a programmer and logarithmic current converter. Constant rate potential sweep measurements are conducted. Outputs of potential and log of current are recorded on a x-y plotter, and the resulting potential vs. log current density plot, referred to as a performance curve, is used to evaluate the electrode activity.

Table I shows performance data for the electrocatalytic reduction of oxygen in 3 M KOH at 75° C. using the catalyst of Example 3. The data in Table I show that the lead-rich lead ruthenate pyrochlore of Example 3 does have significant electrochemical activity for oxygen reduction.

                  TABLE I                                                          ______________________________________                                         Activity Data For The Electro-Reduction Of                                     Oxygen In 3M KOH At 75° C.                                              Current Density   Potential                                                    (mA/cm.sup.2)     (mV vs. RHE)                                                 ______________________________________                                         0.5               1050                                                         1.0               1050                                                         5.0               995                                                          10                950                                                          25                925                                                          50                908                                                          100               892                                                          200               875                                                          ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE 5

A lead-rich lead ruthenate pyrochlore, e.g., Pb₂ [Ru_(2-x) Pb_(x) ]0_(7-y), is prepared in an electrochemical reaction vessel as follows:

Pb(NO₃)₂ and Ru(NO₃)₃ are combined in aqueous solution in an approximately 1.0:1.0 molar ratio of lead to ruthenium. That is, about 1.64 grams of Pb(NO₃)₂ and about 1.42 grams of Ru(NO₃)₃ (in aqueous solution) are added to 150 ml of distilled water. This solution, after being stirred, is then added to 100 ml of 3 M sodium hydroxide that is contained in the electrochemical reaction vessel that has been preheated to 75° C. Precipitation of a solid occurs immediately and this solution is slurried about in the reaction vessel for several minutes. An anodic potential of 1.12 volts vs. RHE is then applied to the nickel electrode. The reaction is carried out with stirring and with nitrogen being bubbled through the solution, for 21 hours. The solid is then separated by vacuum filtration, washed in distilled water, and dried at 100° C. X-ray diffraction shows that the reacted product is a crystalline pyrochlore with a lattice parameter of 10.346 A. The composition of this pyrochlore is estimated, on the basis of a previously established correlation between lattice parameter and composition for lead ruthenate pyrochlores, to be Pb₂ [Ru₁.72 Pb₀.28 ]O_(7-y). The surface area of this catalyst, measured by the BET N₂ adsorption method, is 80 m² /g.

After a two hour, in air, firing at 400° C. of the reacted product, x-ray diffraction shows that a minor second phase of RuO₂ has crystallized and is admixed with the pyrochlore phase. The pyrochlore phase remains unchanged by this heat treatment.

EXAMPLE 6

To illustrate the utility of the compound which is obtained by the method of Example 5, electrocatalytic performance curves are obtained in 3 M KOH at 75° C. The data in Table II show that the lead-rich lead ruthenate pyrochlore of Example 5 does have significant electrochemical activity for oxygen reduction.

                  TABLE II                                                         ______________________________________                                         ACTIVITY DATA FOR THE ELECTRO-REDUCTION OF                                     OXYGEN IN 3M KOH AT 75° C.                                              Current Density   Potential                                                    (mA/cm.sup.2)     (mV vs. RHE)                                                 ______________________________________                                         0.5               1065                                                         1.0               1065                                                         5.0               955                                                          10                930                                                          25                902                                                          50                885                                                          100               862                                                          200               833                                                          ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE 7

A lead-rich lead ruthenate pyrochlore, e.g., Pb₂ [Ru_(2-x) Pb_(x) ]O_(7-y), is prepared in an electrochemical reaction vessel as follows:

Pb(NO₃)₂ and Ru(NO₃)₃ are combined in aqueous solution in an approximately 1.0:1.0 molar ratio of lead to ruthenium. That is, about 1.64 grams of Pb(NO₃)₂ and about 1.42 grams of Ru(NO₃)₃ (in aqueous solution) are added to 150 ml of distilled water. This solution after being stirred, is then added to 100 ml of 3 M sodium hydroxide that is contained in the electrochemical reaction vessel that has been preheated to 75° C. Precipitation of a solid occurs immediately and this solution is slurried about in the reaction vessel for several minutes. An anodic potential of 1.04 volts vs. RHE is then applied to the nickel electrode. The reaction is carried out with stirring and with nitrogen being bubbled through the solution, for 21 hours. The solid is then separated by vacuum filtration, washed in distilled water, and dried at 100° C. X-ray diffraction shows that the reacted product is a crystalline pyrochlore with a lattice parameter of 10.294 A. The composition of this pyrochlore is estimated, on the basis of a previously established correlation between lattice parameter and composition for lead ruthenate pyrochlores, to be Pb₂ [Ru₁.89 Pb₀.11 ]O_(7-y). After a two hour firing, in air, at 400° C. of the reacted product, X-ray diffraction shows that a second phase of RuO₂ has crystallized and is admixed with the pyrochlore phase. The pyrochlore phase remains unchanged by this heat treatment.

EXAMPLE 8

An attempt is made to synthesize lead-rich lead ruthenate pyrochlore, e.g., Pb₂ [Ru_(2-x) Pb_(x) ]O_(7-y), in an electrochemical reaction vessel as follows:

Pb(NO₃)₂ and Ru(NO₃)₃ are combined in aqueous solution in an approximately 2.0:1.0 molar ratio of lead to ruthenium. That is, about 3.28 grams of Pb(NO₃)₂ and about 1.42 grams of Ru(NO₃)₃ (in aqueous solution) are added to 150 ml of distilled water. This solution after being stirred, is then added to 100 ml of 3 M sodium hydroxide that is contained in the electrochemical reaction vessel that has been preheated to 75° C. Precipitation of a solid occurs immediately and this solution is slurried about in the reaction vessel for several minutes. An anodic potential of 0.99 volts vs. RHE is then applied to the nickel electrode. The reaction is carried out with stirring and with nitrogen being bubbled through the solution, for 21 hours. The solid is then separated by vacuum filtration, washed in distilled water, and dried at 100° C. X-ray diffraction shows that the solid product is amorphous. It is apparent that successful practice of this invention requires a minimum anodic potential of about 1.0 volts vs. RHE. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of preparing compounds having the formula:

    A.sub.2 [B.sub.2-x A.sub.x ]O.sub.7-y

wherein A is selected from the group consisting of lead, bismuth and mixtures thereof, wherein B is selected from the group consisting of ruthenium, iridium and mixtures thereof, wherein x is a value such that 0<x≦1.0 and y is a value such that 0≦y≦1, comprising: reacting A cations and B cations from an aqueous solution source of these cations in a liquid alkaline medium having a pH of at least about 10 in the presence of an oxygen source at a temperature below about 200° C., and in the presence of an anodic potential of at least about 1.0 volts vs. reversible hydrogen, for a sufficient time for reaction to occur.
 2. The method of claim 1 wherein said aqueous solution source contains A source material selected from the group consisting of lead nitrate, lead oxide, lead chloride, lead acetate, lead carbonate, lead citrate, lead oxalate, bismuth nitrate, bismuth oxide, bismuth chloride, bismuth oxalate, bismuth oxychloride and mixtures thereof and B source material selected from the group consisting of ruthenium chloride, ruthenium nitrate, ruthenium nitrosyl nitrite, iridium chloride, iridium hydroxide and iridium oxalic acid.
 3. The method of claim 2 wherein said liquid alkaline medium is an aqueous basic solution of alkali metal hydroxide.
 4. The method of claim 3 wherein said aqueous basic solution contains a base selected from the group consisting of sodium hydroxide, rubidium hydroxide, cesium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide and mixtures thereof.
 5. The method of claim 4 wherein said reacting is performed within the temperature range of about 10° C. to about 100° C. and said anodic potential is within the range of about 1.0 to about 1.3 volts vs. reversible hydrogen.
 6. The method of claim 5 wherein said pH is within the range of about 12 to about 15.5.
 7. The method of claim 6 wherein said reacting is performed within the temperature range of about 50° C. to about 80° C.
 8. The method of claim 1 wherein A is lead.
 9. The method of claim 8 wherein said aqueous solution source contains as A source material lead nitrate and contains B source material selected from the group consisting of ruthenium nitrate and iridium chloride.
 10. The method of claim 9 wherein said liquid alkaline medium is an aqueous basic solution of alkali metal hydroxide.
 11. The method of claim 10 wherein said aqueous basic solution contains a base selected from the group consisting of sodium hydroxide, rubidium hydroxide, cesium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide and mixtures thereof.
 12. The method of claim 11 wherein said reacting is performed within the temperature range of about 10° C. to about 100° C., and said anodic potential is within the range of about 1.0 to about 1.3 volts vs. reversible hydrogen.
 13. The method of claim 12 wherein said pH is within the range of about 12 to about 15.5.
 14. The method of claim 13 wherein said reacting is performed within the temperature range of about 50° C. to about 80° C.
 15. The method of claim 1 wherein A is bismuth.
 16. The method of claim 15 wherein said aqueous solution source contains as A source bismuth nitrate and contains B source material selected from the group consisting of ruthenium nitrate and iridium chloride.
 17. The method of claim 16 wherein said liquid alkaline medium is an aqueous basis solution of alkali metal hydroxide.
 18. The method of claim 17 wherein said aqueous basic solution contains a base selected from the group consisting of sodium hydroxide, rubidium hydroxide, cesium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide and mixtures thereof.
 19. The method of claim 18 wherein said reacting is performed within the temperature range of about 10° C. to about 100° C. and said anodic potential is within the range of about 1.0 to about 1.3 volts vs. reversible hydrogen.
 20. The method of claim 19 wherein said pH is within the range of about 12 to about 15.5.
 21. The method of claim 20 wherein said reacting is performed within the temperature range of about 50° C. to about 80° C. 